The reshuffle at a Midlands daily which followed the editor’s departure last week has continued with the appointment of a new deputy editor.
Richard Bowyer left Stoke daily The Sentinel on Friday after 15 months in the editor’s chair to be replaced by his deputy Martin Tideswell.
Now in his first appointment since taking over Martin has named Rob Cotterill as his own successsor as deputy editor.
Rob has worked for The Sentinel and its sister titles for more than 25 years and is a former news editor and night editor of the Local World-owned title.
Announcing the appointment, Martin described Rob as “a hugely experienced and talented journalist with an exceptional knowledge of our patch.”
The father-of-two, who lives in the Staffordshire town of Leek, first joined the paper in April 1989 as a district reporter in its Stafford office.
He then became chief reporter in Stafford and spent ten years in the role before moving to the Newcastle office in a similar capacity.
Rob eventually moved to head office as chief reporter before taking over as news editor, a role he held for seven years.
He left the paper for two years to edit the Leek, Cheadle and Uttoxeter Post and Times series but returned to The Sentinel four years ago in a production role and was promoted to night editor in 2012.
As part of his new role, Rob will also become a regular columnist for the paper.
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
This is one great appointment for the Sentinel, its staff and the people of North Staffordshire and achieved entirely through professionalism, hard work and merit. Rob is not only a superb, honest and decent newsman, but universally admired and liked by his colleagues. Good luck Rob.
Report this comment
Spot on, Pottermus. You won’t find a single person in The Sentinel newsroom with a bad word to say about Rob, and that’s extremely rare as you ascend newspaper chains of command. Meticulous, demanding of high standards and hard-working, but the whole time with a smile on his face and time for anyone who needs it. Bloody good journalist, too.
Fantastic appointment for The Sentinel.
Report this comment
Brilliant appointment
Report this comment
A genuine and highly-respected professional whose sole motivation has always been creating a good paper and a good newsroom. A promotion thoroughly deserved. Congratulations Rob, proud to have worked with you.
Report this comment
A great appointment for The Sentinel and richly deserved.
I learned so much from working with Rob over the years… He’s a superb journalist and was a great mentor to so many of us.
A talented reporter, news editor and an exceptional manager, Rob was also the very man you wanted around in a crisis… Always calm and always fair.
Congratulations and all the very best in your new role, Rob.
Report this comment